As you settle into the Autumn months and the weather starts to cool, you may find yourself averting your gaze away from weekend trips to the beach and begin considering travelling inland for your weekend away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Let this act as a guide and inspiration for discovering all that the regional town of Mansfield has to offer. From unique accommodation to wine tasting, culinary delights, and most thrillingly, a hot air balloon ride across the undulating foothills of the Victorian high country.
WHERE TO STAY:
If luxury is what you are after, look no further than the Bullerro Luxury Farmstay. One accommodation option, ‘The Luxury Chalet’, is inspired by the luxurious ski chalets of Europe. The other, ‘Stone Creek Cottage’ is a more Australian themed cottage, aimed at families and cosy relaxation amongst the gum trees, with the sprawling mountainous landscape as the backdrop for your weekend.
Why not have the best of both worlds? Camping and luxury combined for a unique accommodation experience that you’ll never forget. Mansfield Glamping will have you staying in a spacious canvas bell tent on a historic piece of Mansfield rural farmland, with uninterrupted views of the mountains, all by the comfort of an open fire. What’s not to love?
Located in the centre of Mansfield, the Alzburg Resort is a self-contained accommodation option that will act as the perfect base for all of your high-country activities. Complete with all the comforts you need to feel right at home, plus some to remind you that you’re on holiday, such as a jacuzzi, sauna and tennis courts.
WHERE TO EAT:
Start your day the right way with a coffee and breakfast at one of Mansfield’s favourite cafes, Mansfield Coffee Merchant. Why not have a cocktail with your spiced chickpea fritters? After all, you’re on holiday.
The Produce Store
For lunch, you can’t go past The Produce Store, where you’ll be able to get delicious food made with the freshest local produce. Or just assemble a care package to take back home with you, with homemade cordials, jams and some local Mt Buller Coffee beans.
The Delatite Hotel
“When in Rome…”
If you’re in a country town for the weekend and you don’t have dinner at the local pub, did you really even go to the country for the weekend? The answer is no. Head to the Delatite Hotel and sit in the beer garden, next to a heater and under the fairy lights, listening to a live band and eating a parma and chips. It doesn’t get any better.
WHAT TO DO:
A hot air balloon flight:
Start your morning right with a sunrise hot air balloon flight over Mansfield. Situated in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, Mansfield is surrounded by grazing land, mountains and stunning scenery, all of which can be best admired from the air whilst being bathed in the romantic golden light of the sunrise on a clear day.
Alternatively, an afternoon balloon flight is a rare wonder in the ballooning world, made possible in Mansfield by the cool winter temperatures and even and predictable weather patterns. Book in for this once in a lifetime experience and see the world from a different perspective.
Take the afternoon to explore all that the Delatite Winery has to offer, from wine tasting and degustation at their brand-new cellar door, to a gourmet dining menu in their dining room. Or, if you plan your escape to Mansfield for the weekend of 13-15th of May, they will be holding the Harvest Moon Festival, which promises to regenerate your mind, body and soul while teaching you about the benefits of regenerative farming.
Make the most of the unparalleled access to the high country and go for a bushwalk with Mansfield Bushwalks. They offer guided tours and a variety of walks for all different experience levels, there are even options to have a BBQ organised for after the walk so you can reward yourself after conquering a mountain or discovering a waterfall.
